Syria’s AANES reveals indirect negotiations with Turkey over water
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – On Monday, an official in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) revealed the existence of indirect negotiations with Turkey under Russian auspices to restart the Alouk water station in the countryside of Sere Kaniye.
Co-chair of the Energy and Communication Office of the Jazira region Ziyad Rustem said that Russian forces present in northeast Syria are mediating between the two sides, though they have not come to a final agreement yet.
Turkish forces and their affiliated armed factions shut down Alouk station 15 times after their invasion and occupation of Sere Kaniye in October 2019.
Rustem said that Turkish forces ask for 25 megawatts of electricity from Tishreen Dam six hours a day, and eight megawatts from Derbasiya 24 hours a day.
On June 24, Turkish forces shut down Alouk station and have not restarted it until now.
The AANES demands the operation of 20 wells and four pumps in the Alouk station to ensure the arrival of water to Hasakah and its countryside, according to Rustem.
Alouk station is the main source of drinking water for the towns of Tel Tamr, Hasakah, Shaddadi, Hawl, and rural areas and camps affiliated with these towns.
Rustem hopes to reach an agreement with Turkey; however, he expressed his lack of optimism “because of previous experiences with Turkey, which does not abide by the agreements.”
Rustem added that representatives of the Syrian government attend the Russian-supervised negotiations.